Network Topologies and Standards
Network Topologies and Standards
3
ITINERARY
• • • • • •
Objective 3.01 Objective 3.02 Objective 3.03 Objective 3.04 Objective 3.05 Objective 3.06
The Bus Topology and Ethernet The Star Bus Topology Ring Topologies Wireless Networking Distributed Star Topology—ARCNet Mesh Topology
NEWBIE
4 hours
SOME EXPERIENCE
2 hours
EXPERT
1 hour
1
2
MIKE MEYER’S NETWORK+ CERTIFICATION PASSPORT
A network topology provides a general description of how the devices on the network link to each other, either logically or physically. Topologies do not define specifics about how to implement a network installation. They only provide a very high-level look at how network nodes connect. To move from a theoretical overview to a working solution, you must implement a specific network standard such as Ethernet or Token Ring. Particular network topologies are generally associated with specific networking standards that provide the specifics that define how the network sends data between devices, the type of media used, the maximum network speed (also known as bandwidth), and the number of devices (nodes) that can attach to the network. Questions regarding network topologies and network standards are well represented on the Network+ exam. Pay attention here—there’s a lot to take in, and it’s all important stuff.
Objective 3.01
The Bus Topology and Ethernet
I
f you can imagine your laundry hanging on a long, straight clothes line, you have a pretty good idea of how a bus topology network is constructed. Everything hangs off one long run of cable, as shown in Figure 3-1. The bus topology has been associated with one network standard in particular—Ethernet.
Ethernet Overview
Ethernet, introduced by Xerox in 1973, remained a largely proprietary technology until 1979, when Xerox looked for partners to help promote Ethernet as an industry standard. Working with Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) and Intel, the company published what became
3
ITINERARY
• • • • • •
Objective 3.01 Objective 3.02 Objective 3.03 Objective 3.04 Objective 3.05 Objective 3.06
The Bus Topology and Ethernet The Star Bus Topology Ring Topologies Wireless Networking Distributed Star Topology—ARCNet Mesh Topology
NEWBIE
4 hours
SOME EXPERIENCE
2 hours
EXPERT
1 hour
1
2
MIKE MEYER’S NETWORK+ CERTIFICATION PASSPORT
A network topology provides a general description of how the devices on the network link to each other, either logically or physically. Topologies do not define specifics about how to implement a network installation. They only provide a very high-level look at how network nodes connect. To move from a theoretical overview to a working solution, you must implement a specific network standard such as Ethernet or Token Ring. Particular network topologies are generally associated with specific networking standards that provide the specifics that define how the network sends data between devices, the type of media used, the maximum network speed (also known as bandwidth), and the number of devices (nodes) that can attach to the network. Questions regarding network topologies and network standards are well represented on the Network+ exam. Pay attention here—there’s a lot to take in, and it’s all important stuff.
Objective 3.01
The Bus Topology and Ethernet
I
f you can imagine your laundry hanging on a long, straight clothes line, you have a pretty good idea of how a bus topology network is constructed. Everything hangs off one long run of cable, as shown in Figure 3-1. The bus topology has been associated with one network standard in particular—Ethernet.
Ethernet Overview
Ethernet, introduced by Xerox in 1973, remained a largely proprietary technology until 1979, when Xerox looked for partners to help promote Ethernet as an industry standard. Working with Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) and Intel, the company published what became